Question
Is is allowed to buy and use counterfeited or fake brand? for example KFC, Pepsi, surf excel , Toyota, rado , rolex all are trademarks and protected by law. So is it allowed to buy such counterfeited or fake products with the brand name that are protected?
Like i am really willing to buy a watch of TAG HEUER brand which is fake, so can i buy that. and what about using windows , that originally costs more and we buy the copied worth Rs 30.
Please write in detail.
Answer
This question is more of a legal matter than religious. As a Muslim you are to abide by the laws of the land. If such things are illegal then your obligation is to comply with the rules. Also, the issue of ethics arises both if the product is stolen or counterfeit, and the individual’s mindset who purchases them. A question one must ask is why would a person want to walk around with a fake product, logo or brand? Is self-esteem somehow attached to such things and what if the person is exposed?
As to using Windows, that is a matter of theft and how the laws are implemented. Theft is a serious crime in Islam and if the country you live in deems such purchases as theft then you may have also committed a crime against your religion.
I hope this helps.
God knows best.